150 likes | 269 Views
How direct selling is regulated and managed in different markets “THAILAND” by Anuwat Dharamadhaj Secretary General to the Consumer Protection Board. Direct selling business in Thailand Total market value : US$ 511 million Number of direct sellers : 3.8 million people
E N D
How direct selling is regulated and managed in different markets “THAILAND” by Anuwat Dharamadhaj Secretary General to the Consumer Protection Board
Direct selling business in Thailand Total market value : US$ 511 million Number of direct sellers : 3.8 million people Source: Thai Direct Selling Association as of 2002
Why the Act ? • Direct approach to the consumers • Electronic purchasing and direct marketing • Fraud to the public i.e. over claim, pyramid scheme • Pressure/aggressive sales
Direct Selling and Direct Marketing Act B.E. 2545 Effective on August 29, 2002
Concept of the Act • To protect the consumers • To protect the direct sellers • To promote the direct selling business
To protect the consumers : • When purchase the products • from the direct sellers • When the products do not • perform as claimed • When want to return the products
Significant Sections : - Permission is required before entering to the consumer’s home/workplace. Business identification card must be presented. - Sales documents must be provided to the consumer. - Consumer has the rights to refuse the goods or services after purchasing.
To protect the direct sellers : • When recruited to be the direct sellers • When pay the unreasonable application fee • When forced to purchase the business support materials • When want to return the products or quit from the • business
Significant Sections : • - Fees for membership, training and • promotional materials should not be • overrated. • - Business contract must be notified in the • written form. • - Independent distributor has the rights to • return the goods and promotional materials • to the direct selling operator.
To promote the direct selling business : • To regulate the direct selling business as a whole • To establish the good image of direct selling business • To create trust among the consumers -- quality of the • products • To promote the business opportunity for extra income • and economic situation • To ban the pyramid scheme
Significant Sections : • - Registration must be done before • operating the direct selling business. • - The operation of the business must • be complied with the payment plan. • - Direct selling operator should not seduce • new members by offering commission.
Direct selling company registration update August 29, 2002 - August 28, 2003 Submitted : 335 companies Registered : 234 companies
Good points of registration : • To have the data base of all direct selling • companies in Thailand • To simply regulate and easily protect the • consumers and direct sellers when get the • complaints
Next step : • Ministerial regulations • Review of the registered compensation plans • Ban the bad, Promote the good !